On February 6, Mayor and Council celebrated the Year of the Ox with more than 600 members of the community at the Sheraton Parkway North Toronto Hotel. Guests feasted on a 10-course traditional chinese meal and were also entertained by traditional Chinese dance and kung fu performances. Proceeds from ticket sales will raise much-needed funds for the arts through the Mayor’s Endowment Fund for the Arts. The Mayor’s Celebration of the Chinese New Year is one of several special cultural events which the Town organizes annually. Other events include: Nowruz (Persian New Year) and Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights) celebrations to honour the diverse mosaic of the Town’s community.
Kung Hei Fat Choy! From left to right: Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora, Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, Mayor Dave Barrow, Deputy Mayor Brenda Hogg, Ward 3 Councillor David Cohen and Ward 1 Councillor Greg Beros.
Drum performance
Mayor Dave Barrow dotting the lion's eye
Mayor Dave Barrow "feeding" the lion
Councillor David Cohen as the God of Fortune giving out red packets for good luck
Kung fu performance
Theatre Manager Michael Grit thanks guests for their generous contributions towards the Mayor's Endowment Fund for the Arts.
Mayor and Council wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous Year of the Ox
Mayor Barrow posed for pictures with guests whose donations went towards the Mayor's Endowment Fund for the Arts
Traditional Chinese dance performance
Councillor Cohen/God of Fortune and Mayor Barrow/Emperor
